News About His Eminence Metropolitan Philip

Metropolitan PHILIP and Bishop THOMAS led the Cathedral community of St. George in Pittsburgh to celebrate their centennial, the 30th ordination anniversary and elevation of their dean to the rank of Archimandrite, the tenth ordination anniversary of their Deacon Ned, and the celebration of their dedicated church singers who have already served the Church between 50 and 75 years. This community is thankful to God for all that He has done in this community this last century.

The weekend began with Metropolitan PHILIP’s five hour journey from Englewood. Travel these days is rarely without delays and difficulties. Nevertheless, the Metropolitan arrived and offered the Cathedral leadership inspiration and encouragement. The Cathedral leadership shared their dreams and hopes for a parish center to house the Church school and develop opportunities for learning and spiritual growth. Sayidna spoke of his life’s journey and God’s successes in our Archdiocese through prayer, faithfulness and fortitude. Sayidna recognized the faithfulness of our community and our rich history as a leading community in the Archdiocese. He remembered many of our faithful clergy and laity and highlighted their contributions. The community shared some of the exciting programs and activities that we have initiated.

Beloved Hierarchs, Reverend Clergy, Esteemed Members of the Archdiocese Board of Trustees, Members of the Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch, The Antiochian Women, Members of St. John the Divine and SOYO, and all faithful of our God-protected Archdiocese:

I am delighted to inform you that we have received news that our Father in Christ, His Beatitude, IGANTIUS IV, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East [pictured left], will be visiting our Archdiocese this autumn. His Beatitude will arrive at Newark Liberty Airport on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, and will travel to Boston on Thursday, October 30. In Boston, he will preside over a fund-raising banquet on Saturday evening, November 1, 2008, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the founding of the University of Balamand in Lebanon. During this auspicious occasion, the members of the Balamand Educational Foundation have decided to establish a scholarship fund in honor Metropolitan PHILIP (Saliba) for needy and worthy students.

Strength Through Unity is a 30 minute long documentary film celebrating the life of our Metropolitan Philip. First shown on June 7, 2008 at a gala in Montreal, hosted by St. George Montreal for Saidna, the documentary and Divine Liturgy service have become available for the entire Archdiocese through this DVD.

On August 7, His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP (Saliba), Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of All North America released instructions for the clergy and faithful of the Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America regarding the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America's creation of a "Vicariate for Palestinian/Jordanian Communities in the USA." Our Archpastor's message begins:

"On August 5th, 2008, The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America issued a press release which established a vicariate with the name "Vicariate for Palestinian/Jordanian Communities in the USA". The membership of this vicariate will consist of those communities in the USA which were originally a part of the Patriarchate of Antioch, but most recently (since 1993) were uncanonically claimed by the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. From an historical perspective, it has been clear since the disintegration of Orthodox unity which existed in North America until 1917, that the Arabic-speaking Orthodox people in North America have been exclusively under the pastoral care of the Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. Similarly, the Greek-speaking Orthodox people (e.g. Cypriot, Greek, Egyptian, Turkish, etc.) have always been under the pastoral care of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. What reaction would occur if the Antiochian Archdiocese were to establish a vicariate for Greek communities which separate themselves from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese?!"

On Wednesday, June 11, 2008, His Eminence, Metropolitan PHILIP received the newly elected and enthroned Metropolitan of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, His Eminence, HILARION. His Eminence was elected and enthroned in May as the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Sign in New York City following the death of His Eminence, Metropolitan LAURUS of thrice-blessed memory. Accompanying His Eminence was Protopresbyter Alexander Lebedeff, the Secretary of Inter-Orthodox Relations. Also present from the Antiochian Archdiocese were His Grace, ANTOUN, Bishop of Miami and the Southeast, Archpriest Thomas Zain, Dean of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn, NY and Mr. Charles Ajalat, the Archdiocesan Chancellor. Pictures from this historic meeting follow below.

On Wednesday May 7, 2008, His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP hosted a meeting of five of the SCOBA hierarchs at the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese headquarters in Englewood, New Jersey. The meeting was held to allow these hierarchs to discuss pertinent issues related to the Orthodox situation in North America.

His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP presided over the Paschal Liturgy on April 27, 2008 at the Archdiocese Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Brooklyn, New York. A recording of the service and His Eminence's homily are being prepared for release. Learn more about Metropolitan PHILIP here.

V. Rev. Fr. Constantine Nasr, Economos, on his 25th Anniversary as the pastor of St. Elijah

These photos were taken during His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP's visitation to Oklahoma City to honor V. Rev. Fr. Constantine Nasr, Economos, on his 25th Anniversary as the pastor of St. Elijah. His Eminence met with the Sunday School, the Youth, the Ladies Aid, the Ladies Guild, the Adult Fellowship, as well as the Board of Trustees and the Order of St. Ignatius with a private visitation to Benny and Delores Homsey. Vespers and Divine Liturgy were celebrated and 25 members were inducted into the Order of St. Ignatius. Over 430 guests attended the banquet with a slide presentation of Fr. Constantine Nasr's ministry and a gift to Father and Khouriya Sharon.

Thanks to Jeff Massad, chairman of the Board, Mickey Homsey, chairman of the banquet, the members of the Board, all church organizations, and the faithful for their kindness and hospitality